Forest Green sign Thierry Henry's former strike partner Luke Rodgers

3:54pm Saturday 1st March 2014

By Ashley Loveridge

ADY Pennock's penchant for experience has seen him snap-up Thierry Henry’s former strike partner Luke Rodgers.

Pennock had hoped to include the 32-year-old for the clash at Gateshead this afternoon, but club secretary Michelle McDonald did not receive international clearance in time for the veteran striker, who has recently returned to the UK from Swedish club Hammarby IF.

Pennock told the SNJ: “We had hoped to get Luke involved against Gateshead, but the international clearance didn’t arrive in time.”

Rodgers has played alongside Lee Hughes at Notts County and was coached by New Lawn assistant manager Dave Kevan at County Pennock added: “I am delighted to sign Lee and we’ve agreed a deal until the end of next season.”

Rodgers joined Major League outfit New York Red Bulls three years ago and partnered former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

His early career started at Shrewsbury Town in 1999. He spent six years with the Shropshire side and made over 200 appearances as they were relegated and then promoted back to the Football League.

In the summer of 2005 he moved to Crewe Alexandra, where he stayed until a January 2007 switch to Port Vale. Two years later he moved on to Yeovil Town following a short loan spell.

His permanent spell at Yeovil was brief, he soon transferred to Notts County in summer 2009, who he helped fire to promotion in his first season.

He completed a move to Major League Soccer with the New York Red Bulls in January 2011. In March 2012, he was released by the Red Bulls after his work visa renewal was denied, and transferred to Norwegian club Lillestrøm. He returned to the English league with Portsmouth in August 2012, before joining Shrewsbury Town on loan two months later in a deal which became permanent the following January.

He signed with Swedish club Hammarby IF in July 2013 Rodgers is expected to make his debut in next Saturday's home match against Cambridge United.